“Jesse L. Kearney Jr., A Playwright, Attorney and Arts AdvoCate, Died March 6 at A Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, After Undergoing Emergency Brain, Jacey Emergery Emergen. Bell Kearney, Announced. HE WAS 49. A RECIPIENT OF THE JONATHAN LARSON MUSICAL Theater Fellowship from the Dramatist Guild and the Lazarus Family Musical”, – WRITE: www.hollywoodReporter.com
A recipient of the Jonathan Larson Musical Theater Fellowship from the Dramatist Guild and the Lazarus Family Musical Theater, Kearney Co-Wrote Making Micheaux (2021), A short musical film about Black Film Pioneer Oscar Micheaux That Was Produced by Prospect Theater Company’s Vision Series.
HE ALSO WAS The CO-BOOKWRITER AND CO-LYCIST ON THE FULL-LEGTH JAZZ MUSICAL The Oscar Micheaux Project (Working Title), Who Was Commission by Prospect Musicals and Developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Johnny Mercer Writers Grove. It was Selected for the 2023 Namt Festival of New Musicals and the 2024 Village Theatre Festival of New Musicals and Receiven the Inaugural Michael Friedman.
Kearney Authored Several One-Act Plays, and His Musical The Little Playhouse Was workshopped at Lincoln Center Theater Director’s Lab/American Living Room Series. And he wrote the book and lyrics for The lion in love d Libretto for The Blind Manbassed on a story by dh lawrentnce.
As the Content Acquisition and Development Manager at Audible Inc., Kearney Championed Diverse Voices in Audio Storytelling. He was the also the co-feruner and general counsel of the Stage Network, A pioneering Streaming Platform Devoted to Theatrical Content, and A Vice President of Black Broadway Men United.
“We Are Devastated to Lose Our Treasured Friend and Colleague Jesse Kearney – AcClaimed Playwright, Loving Father and Husband and Our WidiReammate. Ghiazza said in a statement. “HE MADE an Undeniable Impact on His Friends, Family and All of Us at Audible.”
Kearney Was “Consistently Rooted in the Mission of Celebrating, Education and Motivating Black Men of the Broadway and Theater Community,” Black Broadway Men United President Anthony Wayne. “His Support for the Mission Has Inspired Monumental Events and Paved the Way for Mentees to Come.”
He Earned Degrees from Dartmouth College, Nyu’s Musical Theater Writing Program and New York Law School.
Kearney Suffired A Cerebral Artteriovenous Malformation on Jan. 8. His Family has asked for Help with Expenses Through a Gofundme Campaign.
In addition to his wife, co-book of the Broadway Advocal Coalition, Survivors Include His Daughters, Loretta and Cecilia, and His Mother, Shirley. A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM ON TUESDAY AT ST. Michael’s Episcopal Church at 225 W. 99th St. in manhattan.
“In Moments Like Test, I Think of How Bright One Soul Can Shine and Pierce the Hearts of So Many People,“ His Wife Said. “Jesse’s Light Grows Stronger Every Day.”